There are 24178 comments on the
Psychology Today
story from Apr 25, 2012, titled Atheism to Defeat Religion by 2038.
In it, Psychology Today reports that:

My blog posts on religion have attracted a lot of controversy. Religious people are annoyed by my claim that belief in God will go the way of horse transportation, and for much the same reason, specifically an improved standard of living.

<quoted text>1: Already stated. Your lack of facts and reason certainly does not help your cause. 2: You are unable to show how your god is anything other than a fantasy hence you are defined as living in such.3: What else do you call someone who lives by delusion as you do?4: Credentials in specialities tend to go after the name. Example Dr. John Smith DDS. Wow you are really bad at this! Oh well that's what you get for trying to preach your imagination to atheists.5: Tell that to the Christ loving Muslims blowing themselves up for your god.6: It is indeed logical but logic is difficult for one such as yourself who lives under the chains of superstition and delusion.

Perhaps you should change your screen name to just failing?

Muslims don't serve Christ. They serve Muhammad. Who's delusional? Why is it so important to you that I prove my God to you? Does it affect you any? No. It's personal. I cannot factually prove that God exists anymore than you can factually prove that He doesn't exist. All either of us can do is offer up evidence supporting our belief. Does that make me delusional because I choose to believe in a God you can't factually prove isn't real? No more than you are.

<quoted text>So in other words, you just want to decry something just to decry it.

In other words that means I'm not gonna stoop to that level of endless debate over something that is a very personal choice. I've been there. I really don't wanna go there again. To do so would be the very definition of redundancy.

<quoted text>Interesting. You do know that I don't get angry, right? That's a strange side effect of education.

Hahahahahaha Lady, the last word that pops in my mind when I think of you is educated. More like abrasive, rude, aggressive, arrogant, narcissistic, stubborn, and a few others I'd rather not use in public. My level of education, like my belief, isn't something I feel the need to defend. I'm confident in both of them.

<quoted text>Being alive is what gave me that right, being human is what gave me the drive to. It's a trait that is actually useful to any species capable of self perpetuated advance. As for the rest, well, you don't know. Even if I said I was a professional psychologist there is no way to provide solid evidence of that. I could say I work for the CIA, but couldn't prove that to you in any sane or legal way. So make all the assumptions about me you want, because every assumption you make tells us all more about the quality of, or lack thereof, your character.

It's not an assumption to ask you what gives you the right to condemn someone else's beliefs. It's a question. Being human does not give you the right. Or else we wouldn't teach the necessity of respect to our children. That is a strictly you trait. Honestly if we were relying on you for the advancement of the species, I fear we might all be doomed. And that's not an assumption. That is just my opinion.

<quoted text>If you wish to be taken seriously, you need to give me an argument to rebut. Your bare claims like this are dismissed out of hand.

If I ever accuse you of taking me out of context, I will repost what you selected from my words right next to the fuller quotation containing the missing context, and show what you did and how.

For example, if I were to post that "I would never say that I don't love my wife," and you quoted me as saying, "I don't love my wife," I would post your snippet beside the whole quote, with relevant context restored to demonstrate what you did.

You didn't do that. Look at what you posted instead. To me, that's low, although I'm quite accustomed to it in these threads.

Or maybe you'd care to try again this time. Make a case this time if you can. Do you have any such evidence to present, or shall we just assume that it was you that took the cheap shot here, which of course is the default position when you can't or won't defend your allegations.

Why do I have to argue with you at all? I have nothing to prove to you. My belief isn't something to be analyzed under a microscope. Your thought process is very analytical and literal and that's okay. But "belief" isn't something you can analyze. Science can't even prove it's there. Yet it exists anyway. People believe in things all the time. Do i agree with all of them? No. And I ain't got to. Science can't prove the existence of a soul, or a conscience. Yet people still manage to have a sense of identity and (in most cases) morals. Do I necessarily care if you take me seriously? Not really. I don't base my opinion of myself upon the opinion others have about me. I am confident in myself. View that in whatever way helps you sleep at night.

<quoted text>*chuckles* Which is precisely your problem. I am not a specimen. I am not intended to be examined under anyone's microscope. I am a living breathing human being. I have my own thoughts, my own emotions, my own beliefs. None of which make me a dipshit. Quite frankly I find your hostility to be uncalled for and utterly unenlightened. Insults are the lowest form of dialog. Which is exactly why I'm not choosing to resort to them. I'm not low. So, yeah, I very much so responded to your post. Was it with facts? No Then again I don't need them to describe why I believe what I believe. That should be enough. If you can't be okay with the idea of someone thinking or believing contrary to you then that's really your problem isn't it? Guide your anger in any way you choose. That's all you. It still has no business on my doorstep.

I repeat >>>> "So basically you have no response to the post, but you are willing to act like a even bigger dipshit because (I responded in kind to yours?*)

Anger is not my way, but please understand that when and if I ever have any anger, I will be the one to decide where to guide it to.

Reach for it, whatever you've got, bring it and I will still treat you like a specimen** to either be examined, or maybe even mocked. "

##########

* Do you not understand response in kind? It wasn't until after your nasty barb aimed at me, that I chose to lob one back at you.... Dipshit!

** Whether you are treated as a specimen or not is my choice to make, not yours

<quoted text>Hahahahahaha Lady, the last word that pops in my mind when I think of you is educated. More like abrasive, rude, aggressive, arrogant, narcissistic, stubborn, and a few others I'd rather not use in public. My level of education, like my belief, isn't something I feel the need to defend. I'm confident in both of them.

Then you are not seeing her as she has been presented. What you are seeing, is your own personal reactive translation to that which you do not wish to be shown or told.

<quoted text>It's not an assumption to ask you what gives you the right to condemn someone else's beliefs. It's a question. Being human does not give you the right. Or else we wouldn't teach the necessity of respect to our children. That is a strictly you trait. Honestly if we were relying on you for the advancement of the species, I fear we might all be doomed. And that's not an assumption. That is just my opinion.

How much respect do you have for the Vodun priestess, or the Satanist? How much respect does your religion, your god or even yourself, have for someone who is not going to be conscripted into your zombie vampirism cannibalistic mind freak lunacy?

You god would make parents eat their children and you want respect for your beliefs? How about derision and mockery? They are so much more appropriate to what you loons have earned, and yeah, since you are one, you get the same branding all of them do. Flat out if you don't know what you are advocating, you should learn it. And if you do know, then you flat out are a demented nutcase.

<quoted text>I repeat >>>> "So basically you have no response to the post, but you are willing to act like a even bigger dipshit because (I responded in kind to yours?*)

Anger is not my way, but please understand that when and if I ever have any anger, I will be the one to decide where to guide it to.

Reach for it, whatever you've got, bring it and I will still treat you like a specimen** to either be examined, or maybe even mocked. "

##########

* Do you not understand response in kind? It wasn't until after your nasty barb aimed at me, that I chose to lob one back at you.... Dipshit!

** Whether you are treated as a specimen or not is my choice to make, not yours

Whether I choose to believe in a living God or not is my choice not yours. Get your foul ass on up out my face, you fucking arrogant bitch. I ain't the one. I can respect your differing opinions of what is real or not real, but I have had enough of YOU. As an individual. You spew hate from your lips like spittle dripping from the tongue. You reek of negativity and hate. I have NO time for such bullshit. Shoo shoo and stuff already.

<quoted text>How much respect do you have for the Vodun priestess, or the Satanist? How much respect does your religion, your god or even yourself, have for someone who is not going to be conscripted into your zombie vampirism cannibalistic mind freak lunacy?

You god would make parents eat their children and you want respect for your beliefs? How about derision and mockery? They are so much more appropriate to what you loons have earned, and yeah, since you are one, you get the same branding all of them do. Flat out if you don't know what you are advocating, you should learn it. And if you do know, then you flat out are a demented nutcase.

Enjoy being reported, bitch. Cuss me out one more time. I'll report your disrespectful, foul, hateful, narcissistic, no manners having ass again. I ain't the one.

<quoted text>How much respect do you have for the Vodun priestess, or the Satanist? How much respect does your religion, your god or even yourself, have for someone who is not going to be conscripted into your zombie vampirism cannibalistic mind freak lunacy?

You god would make parents eat their children and you want respect for your beliefs? How about derision and mockery? They are so much more appropriate to what you loons have earned, and yeah, since you are one, you get the same branding all of them do. Flat out if you don't know what you are advocating, you should learn it. And if you do know, then you flat out are a demented nutcase.

You forgot something:

It seems that most atheists are so narcissistic that they would have a very difficult time believing in anything greater than themselves. They rely a lot on intellect, which is definitely a less risky approach to life. To see the beauty of a sunset, or the miracle of a child being born, or the amazing transformation when one experiences unconditional love, and to still believe that life begins and ends with only human beings and no divinity seems utterly ridiculous. Most atheists seem to live on intellectual high ground that makes them appear to be superior to those of us who dare to have some belief system other than science. It seems that they get their kicks out of belittling those who have faith in God. To tout that faith and logic cannot coexist is short sighted. Basing your life only on hard facts and evidence leaves out a whole other dimension to life which includes intuition, spirituality, and the energy that exists between all living things. The unbelief of an atheist doesn't prove anything about the existence of God, it just proves the small mindedness of humans.

<quoted text>Whether I choose to believe in a living God or not is my choice not yours. Get your foul ass on up out my face, you fucking arrogant bitch. I ain't the one. I can respect your differing opinions of what is real or not real, but I have had enough of YOU. As an individual. You spew hate from your lips like spittle dripping from the tongue. You reek of negativity and hate. I have NO time for such bullshit. Shoo shoo and stuff already.

You're also free to not believe in gravity, but it will keep you here on earth regardless.

It really doesn't matter what you believe. What matters is whether you lie to people about science and reality or not.

The fact is that you don't believe in the fact of evolution which means you don't really understand much about why you are here anyway.

We'll leave you to your mental illness and you leave us to handle reality.

<quoted text>You forgot something:It seems that most atheists are so narcissistic that they would have a very difficult time believing in anything greater than themselves. They rely a lot on intellect, which is definitely a less risky approach to life. To see the beauty of a sunset, or the miracle of a child being born, or the amazing transformation when one experiences unconditional love, and to still believe that life begins and ends with only human beings and no divinity seems utterly ridiculous. Most atheists seem to live on intellectual high ground that makes them appear to be superior to those of us who dare to have some belief system other than science. It seems that they get their kicks out of belittling those who have faith in God. To tout that faith and logic cannot coexist is short sighted. Basing your life only on hard facts and evidence leaves out a whole other dimension to life which includes intuition, spirituality, and the energy that exists between all living things. The unbelief of an atheist doesn't prove anything about the existence of God, it just proves the small mindedness of humans.

I'm sorry that you are frustrated at atheists for not believing in your imagination. But it is not our fault. It is the fault of your inability to reason or accept evidence that goes against your mental illness.

You should see a doctor instead of taking your hatred out on atheists, who will never believe in your made up god.

<quoted text>No. I assumed that it was a Anglicism related to a historical dispute - like Dutch treat.Yes, Condell's style is quite aggressive. He also made a video criticizing those who want him to lighten up. It might offend you. From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =I5cXWElb-GEXX :"there was plenty of negative feedback as well from the usual religious nut jobs, but also from some atheists who have told me that they think I'm giving atheism a bad name. Yeah right. Like it ever had a good name. I've been told things like my arguments are too crude, I'm damaging the atheist cause, I'm not contributing to the debate, and my personal favorite: "You won't convert anyone to atheism by insulting people.[snip]"I don't think this is a matter for polite debate, especially when all you're going to get is the usual raft of glibly held but unexamined certainties hammered home like coffin nails at every opportunity. Because dogma is blind and deaf to anything that reason has to offer. Faith is non-negotiable, so where exactly is the debate? You obey the rules of reason; religion ignores them ..."Religion is out of control right now precisely because too many people have been too diplomatic for too long. If we'd had the balls to do some straight talking years ago when we should have and put this insulting nonsense in its rightful place with astrology and palmistry, we wouldn't even be talking about this now. We'd be doing something more useful with our time. What a waste of an enlightenment."

Pat Condell's negative comment on Dutch law-courts (not necessarily just that one ruling) apparently refers to Geert Wilders...http://dotsub.com/view/fdb12aea-4724-4190-b1f...Quote Pat C:The truth is sometimes offensive. There is no doubt about that. The truth is never offensive. The way of expressing or communicating it can be. This is the difference between my approach and Pat's. He does go on and tends make people feel personally under attack instead of just their ideals, ideas, principles, beliefs or actions.

From Wiki:On 23 June 2011, Wilders was acquitted of all charges, with Judge Marcel van Oosten noting that his statements, although "gross and denigrating," had not given rise to hatred against Muslims, and as such were "acceptable within the context of public debate." Van Oosten also said, however, that Wilders's statements were on the edge of legal acceptabilityUnquote.

I said Muslims love Jesus and thy certainly believe in him and deeply love him. They would certainly claim they are properly serving him. Learn to read and you won't fail as much.

Again you can live in the chains of superstition and delusion all you wish just as the crazy old homeless man ranting about demonic armies forming in the alley.

Yes you can't prove your god because deep down you know he is just a figment of the imagination. Nothing more.

Again you stomp your feet and scream, here is my zero proof assertion prove it doesn't exist!! So childish just so childish. Adults with an average IQ would be ashamed to use such an argument.

Again sorry but you stamping your feet on a zero proof, zero evidence warm fuzzy personal feeling is not equal to my solid facts reality no matter how you wail with tears rolling down your red face.

You have feelings and opinion, I have facts. They are not equal in the realm of debate as any reasonably intelligent person would know.

Sorry but it is true and you know it.

01Justsayin wrote:

<quoted text>Muslims don't serve Christ. They serve Muhammad. Who's delusional? Why is it so important to you that I prove my God to you? Does it affect you any? No. It's personal. I cannot factually prove that God exists anymore than you can factually prove that He doesn't exist. All either of us can do is offer up evidence supporting our belief. Does that make me delusional because I choose to believe in a God you can't factually prove isn't real? No more than you are.

Well said! And may I also say that why should anyone have to disprove what is merely an unproven personal delusion like god?

-Skeptic- wrote:

<quoted text>I'm sorry that you are frustrated at atheists for not believing in your imagination. But it is not our fault. It is the fault of your inability to reason or accept evidence that goes against your mental illness.You should see a doctor instead of taking your hatred out on atheists, who will never believe in your made up god.

What happened in Salem was an isolated event. It was not common practice among the religious in all of colonial America.

This is an argument - that they didn't do it too much? I don't think Dahmer has people for dinner that often, either.

And it was hardly an isolated incident. History is rife with Christian sadism.

insidesecrets wrote:

Not too long ago, Americans supported racial persecution and segregation not only privately but politically. Would you consider that an example of the "utter" moral collaspe of a secular society?

That was a moral failure - a black eye for America, especially the American South.

If you want others to value your church, it has to outperfom the alternatives. Isn't that what you were implying that it could do when you posted that ...

"the atrocities of godless communist regimes where millions of people were mainmed and killed. The total body count for the ninety years between 1917 and 2007 is approximately 148 million dead at the bloody hands of only fifty-two atheists, three times more than all the human beings killed by war, civil war, and individual crime in the entire twentieth century combined! The historical record of collective atheism is thousands of times worse on an annual basis than Christianitys worst and most infamous bloodbath, the Spanish Inquisition"http://www.topix.com/forum/religion/atheism/T...

Weren't you warning us of the moral turpitude of atheism so that we might value your church more? The slavers were Christians. What use is such a religion if we can do as well or as badly without it?

Anger is not my way, but please understand that when and if I ever have any anger, I will be the one to decide where to guide it to.

This is becoming a recurring theme. This poster lobs personal jabs, then deals with the fallout just like she did with you - as if your reaction was unprovoked or unmeasured. Look at this from another thread:

Tell me when this thread is updated:

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